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DAUGHTERS OF 
FATE 

A THREE ACT PLAY OF A ONCE GREAT WAR 

BY 
NATHAN APPLETON TEFFT 

Author of "Journeys of a Soul" 




AKTIetVeRITAna 



BOSTON 

THE GORHAM PRESS 

MCMXVIII 



Copyright, 1918, by Nathan A. Tefft 



All Rights Reserved 






MADE IN THE UNITED STATES OP AMERICA 



Ths Gobbam Press, boston, U, S. A. 



^PR l5lSld 



Q)CLD 4931JG 



'T'tC / 



M«^^^ 



K 



To the Daughters of the American Revolution, 
many of whom can and have narrated inci- 
dents of that conflict, handed down by 
their progenitors, this little volume 
is dedicated. 



^P^ 15 ISIS 



DAUGHTERS OF FATE 



THE CHARACTERS 

Dame Cross, A Crippled and Crochety Old Lady 
Israel Keene, An Aged Cobbler and an Inveterate 

Trouble-Maker 
Dorothy Keene, Israel's Granddaughter 
Captain Worth, An American Officer 
Colonel Buff, Commander of the British Forces 
Molly Molasses, An Indian Medicine Girl 
Phoebe 1 

Penelope 1-Colonial Dames 
Sophie J 
Claude ] 

Archibald ^English Staff Officers 
Cyril J 
A Squad Officer 
A Sentry 
A Courier 
English Soldiers and Village Dames 



DAUGHTERS OF FATE 



ACT I 

Scene: The public square of a New England vil- 
lage during the American Revolution. The Brit- 
ish are in possession of the town, and the people, em- 
bittered and excited, are showing their antipathy for 
the Redcoats. Separated from the thoroughfare by 
a dilapidated stone-wall, is the dooryard of the home 
of Israel Keetie. On the right is a small Colonial 
house painted white, with green blinds and a vine- 
covered lattice over the door. On the left is an old 
well-sweep half hidden between two tall elms whose 
umbrella tops furnish ample shade from the burning 
rays of the midsummer sun. British sentries patrol- 
ing the square and squads of soldiers clash with 
Colonial dames who persist in promenading despite 
orders to the contrary. Israel Keene, seated on a 
cobbler s bench against the house, divides his time 
between mending a boot and shaking his fist at the 
Redcoats. Dame Cross, a crippled old lady, hob- 
bling by with her walking-stick, is accosted and rid- 
iculed by some soldiers. 

Dame Cross 

Shame on your faces, devils red! 

Your hands are gory from the dead! 

Cowards ! Persecute and slay galore, 

Fathers, brothers, by the score! 

Dare one even to resent 



io DAUGHTERS OF FATE 

Taunts and curses, or repent, 
Lest we spat upon his face? 
Shame, ye creatures of disgrace! 

{Dames applaud and jeer). 

A Sentry 

Keep to silence, babbling dames! 
Look to your graces and your names; 
Wrath and insult can but stir 
This bitter strife to noisy whir. 
Hie ye all to peaceful homes, 
Your fiery tongues to hold. 
Lest more blood besmear the hands 
That laid your brothers cold. 

Israel 

{Springing up in temper). 

Ye blackguards! ye hawks! 

Dare ye even leap this wall? 

Ye devils of hell! Come one or all. 

{Brandishing boot). 

Let's see the color of your blood ; 
Let me spill it in a flood ; 
Let me have a drop — just one, 
To avenge the murder of my son. 

{Redcoats laugh). 



ACT I II 

Ye blackguards ! Ye hawks ! 

Dorothy 

(Appearing in doorway). 

Israel ! 

Say no more these awful things; 

They only give to passion, wings. 

(She leads him, trembling with rage, hack to his 
bench). 

Let us have peace. 

Israel 

Peace, in muck and mire? 

Zounds! 

Dorothy 
But you are putting oil to fire. 

Israel 
T'will quicker burn these imps of hell. 

Dorothy 
Israel, don't. 

Israel 

Ye, child, go and spread the meal; 
I'll 'tend to this. 



12 DAUGHTERS OF FATE 

Dorothy 

Keep your head, grandsire, please. 

Israel 

Go! I want revenge, 

Dorothy 
Please ! Please ! 

{She clings to him, but he throws her off and she 
returns to the house weeping, as the Redcoats jeer 
and laugh ) . 

Dame Cross 

Laugh, ye wretches of rapine; 
Ye beasts of carnage, laughing's fine, 
While ye keep swigging from the bowl, 
And sorrow fills this old man's soul. 

(Dames laugh and applaud). 

{Another sentry comes up; he is drunk and stag- 
gering). 

Sentry 

To arms, brave men! How stand ye dumb, 
And hear these cattish voices hum 
With insults to your kith and kin. 
While they, the harlots! reek with sin? 



ACT I 13 

Israel 

{Springing up in fury). 

Liar ! 

Curse to him who dare defame 
The purity of one fair name. 
Get ye to hell, y' coward! 

Sentry 

Enough of this! Men clear the street; 
Sack these damsels by the feet. 

{Dames fight and scream as Redcoats overpower 
and kiss them). 

Dame 

Shame, you coward ! Dare you quench 
From me, a thirst for some old wench? 

Sentry 
A brave man dares to do his duty. 

{Kissing her again). 

Dame i 

You devil! 

Israel 
Kill the rascals! Scratch and bite; 



14 DAUGHTERS OF FATE 

Tear their eyes out; make 'em fight. 
Were their brothers nigh, ye goats, 
They'd ram bayonets down your throats. 

{Dames applaud Israel). 

Sentry 

Hurry men, sack these dames; 
Make them prove their holy names. 

{Redcoats drag the dames away. The sentry 
laughs and turns to Israel). 

As for you, my hoary steed, 

A sound drubbing's what you need. 

Isrnel 

Come on, ye slandering, wine-soaked cur; 
I'll give those eyes a finer blur. 

{Israel hurls the boot he is mefiding at the sentry, 
hitting him in the head. The sentry springs over the 
wall, knocks the old man down with the butt of his 
flint-lock ) . 

Sentry 
Take that for your curses and your taunts. 

Israel 
Oh God ! 



ACT I 15 

(As the old man falls. Captain Worth, an Amer- 
ican officer enters, and running along the wall, 
seizes the Redcoat by the throat, chokes him until 
he is limp and throws him into the street). 

Worth 

{Examining Israel's wound). 

God, what a blow! 

{Hearing voices outside. Worth conceals himself 
in the well). 

Dorothy 

{Calling from within) . 

Israel, Israel. 

Worth 

{Peering over the well). 

Israel. 

Israel 

Who's calling me? 

Worth 

'Tis Dorothy. 



i6 DAUGHTERS OF FATE 

Israel 
Yes, I hear, but who are ye? 

Worth 
Hush! Can't you see? 

Israel 
Nay ; they've robbed me of my sight. 
{Rubbing his eyes). 
God, man, where's the light? 

fVorth 
What a pity! 

Israel 
Speak ; are ye a friend ? 

fVorth 
I am no other. 

Israel 
( Trying to rise) . 

Then kill the rascals, every one; 



ACT I 17 

Make sure the slayer of my son. 
Drive the devils back to hell; 
Burn and torture; make 'em yell. 

Worth 

Silence man! 
Where's your reason? 

Dorothy 
( Calling ) . 
Israel, Israel. 

Worth 
Israel, speak; quit playing dead. 

Dorothy 

{Appearing in the doorway) . 

Israel, come; the table's spread. 

{Discovering Israel on the ground and Captain 
Worth in the well). 

Captain ! 

Worth 

Hush! 



1 8 DAUGHTERS OF FATE 

(Dorothy runs to the well and JVorth taking her 
in his arms, kisses her). 

Dorothy 

What brings you here? 

Worth 

Love and duty . 

Ah, yes, and to this man's defense, 

It seems, as if by Providence. 

Dorothy 

What's happened? 

Worth 

A TOW. 

Dorothy 

My grandsire's dead? 

Worth 
Nay, only stunned. 

Dorothy 
{Kneeling over Israel). 
And this abrasion on his head? 



ACT I 19 

Worth 

Came from a blow. 

The brute who knocked him off his feet, 

Is lying prone there in the street. 

Dorothy 
You slew him? 

Worth 
I did my best. 

Dorothy 

{Peering over the wall). 

Poor fellow! 

We better take my grandsire in. 

Worth 

We must be cautious. For I, 
If found here, must needs die. 

{Coming out of the well, and lifting Israel to his 
feet). 

Israel. 

Dorothy 

It's the Captain. 



20 DAUGHTERS OF FATE 

Israel 

Ah, yes! Now I see. 
God! child, what a blessing. 

{He throws his arms about Worth's neck and sobs 
bitterly. Voices are heard near by). 

Dorothy 

Too late ; we must not try. 

Worth 

Who comes? 

Dorothy 

{Lookirig down road). 

The colonel in command. 

Israel 

Ragamuffin ! 

Worth 

{Letting Israel fall). 

Silence, man! Go stunned and queer; 
Nor once betray my presence here. 



ACT I 21 

Dorothy 
And I? 

JVorth 

Must grieve and nurse his wound. 

And listen — 

(Jeers are heard outside). 

God, I haven't time. 

(Steps back into well). 

Dorothy 

(Looking down street). 

Speak. 

The Colonel's halted — gabbing with his men. 

Worth 

Hush! 

An Indian maid will soon be here, 
With secret orders from the rear; 
And ye and she must chance to meet 
As strangers, not as sisters greet. 
No word, nor sign, nor look of eye, 
Must once betray this little spy. 

Dorothy 

A spy? 



22 DAUGHTERS OF FATE 

Worth 

Ah yes, sagacious little sprite; 

She's turned the course of many a fight. 

Israel 

God ! man, now you talk. 

Worth 
Silence, fool! 

Dorothy 

Pray, what's her name? 

Worth 

A name you've oft heard tongues repeat; 
The tribal gift for something sweet — 

Molly Molasses. 

Dorothy 

The Medicine girl? 

Worth 
The same. 

She with herbs for every ill. 
Can cure the sick, or kill ; 
And by this clever ruse, you see — 
Ministering to the enemy, 
She passed the picket lines at will. 



ACT I 23 

(Worth disappears down the well). 

Enter Colonel Buff 

Buff 

Ho, ye guards! Come, turn about; 
Sack and bury this drunken lout. 

( The guards enter and carry off the sentry. Buff 
discovers Dorothy who is bending over Israel). 

Hi, pretty lass, what's wrong here? 

Dorothy 

They've tried this poor old man to slay. 

Buff 

Who is he, pray? 

Dorothy 

My grandsire, sir — 

My only kin and dear to me. 

(Falls weeping over Israel). 

Buff 
(Picking up boot in the street). 

This long-eared boot with bloody heel, 
Would indicate he made one feel 



24 DAUGHTERS OF FATE 

His fiery temper, as like lead 
Hurled against his rum-soaked head. 

Israel 

( Rising sligh tly ) . 

Wish to God I'd slain the lout! 

Dorothy 

Hush Israel! 

Buff 

(Laughing). 

'Twould seem that God your wish had granted, 
Since he by now is being planted. 

Israel 
What man! I've killed him? 
(Springing up, his frame shaking with emotion). 

Buff 
He seemed quite dead. 

Israel 
God, what news! 



ACT I 25 

{Supported by Dorothy, Israel staggers into the 
house laughing fiendishly and muttering. Dorothy 
returns) . 

Dorothy 

Please excuse the old man, sir ; 
Reason's left him. His brain's a-whir 
With fever, and I have fear 
That Death already may be near. 

Buff 

Death, my pretty one, would be a blessing. 

Dorothy 

Blessing? 

Buff 

Aye. 

Like some cast-of¥ garment, he 

Is worn and thread-bare as can be. 

All his joints, too, creak with rust. 

Aye, lass, better he should go to dust. 

Dorothy 

Why say such things? He's all I have. 

Buff 

You must find a new protector. 
Have you no lover? 



26 DAUGHTERS OF FATE 

Dorothy 

{Glancing towards well). 

Lover ? 

E'en though I had, he may be dead, 
Slain by your poison bullet lead. 
As were my dad and brother. 

Buff 

No great task to find another. 

You are too pretty, lass, and sweet. 

Without a lover at your feet. 

What say you now ; my years are few ; 

If he be dead, will I not do? 

{Worth's frowning face appears above the well). 

Dorothy 

You? Why sir I— 
You are too hasty sir. 

Buff 
I say if he be dead. 

Dorothy 
Oh, but he's not. I — 

Buff 
Pray tell me how you know. 



ACT I 27 

Dorothy 
I — I should have said he may be. 

Buff 

And if he is? 

Dorothy 
Sir, I— 

Buff 

You've seen him lass, and lately, too. 
Tell-tale blushes never grew 
About such pretty hair and ej^'es, 
'Thout some recent kisses there. 

Dorothy 

You are confusing me. 

Please sir, while my grandsire's ill, 

Leave me with my sorrow-cup to fill. 

Buff 

I'll hie me out and fetch you aid. 
I've seen this day an Indian maid — 
A pretty thing with herbs and pills. 
Ye gods, lass ! She alone's a cure for ills. 

Dorothy 

I'd be grateful, sir, for this. 



28 DAUGHTERS OF FATE 

Buff 

So grateful you could lend a kiss? 

{Dorothy shrinks from him as he reaches for her 
hand. Worth appears above the well frowning 
savagely. Loud laughter is heard outside). 

{Enter Molly Molasses. She sprawls herself on 
top of the stone wall). 

Molly 

Hallo big chief! 

Buff 

Hello Molly! 

Molly 
{ Teasingly ) . 

Redcoat, Redcoat. Me like red. 

{She climbs over the wall as Buff roars with 
laughter^ and advances toward Dorothy). 

Hallo, little squaw. 

Dorothy 

Hello. 

Are you the medicine girl? 



ACT I 29 

Molly 
Hm-m, me medicine girl; you sick head? 

Dorothy 
My grandsire's ill. 

Molly 
Me make-um well. 

{She unfolds and spreads a s?nall blanket on the 
ground, and swings a deer skin bag from her back. 
Singing ) . 

Big brave kill-um big black bear; 
Little brave kill-um squir'l; 
Big squaw spank-um little papooses; 
Me little medicine girl. 

{Dancing) . 

Tum-tum wah-wah la la boo, 
Heap much wampum, 
Buy-um jug o'rum, 
Tum-tum wah-wah la la boo, 
Me little medicine girl. 

{She squats on the blanket). 

Me make-um pill ? 



30 DAUGHTERS OF FATE 

Me cure big chief Redcoat. 

Him love-sick. 

{Col. Buff laughs. Molly takes a wooden bowl 
and several packages of herbs from the bag and 
spreading them out in front of her, unties each). 

Tell me little squaw, what ail-um old man ; 
Him have heap much pain and fever? 

{With every ailment mentioned, she puts a differ- 
ent herb in the bowl). 

Dorothy 

He has pain and he has fever, 
And his brain is all on fire ; 
On his head there is a sore wound, 
From a blow dealt by some ruffian. 

Molly 

Ugh! 

Buff 

And he walks with shoulders humped up, 
With a drop-stitch in his old back; 
And he shakes all o'er with palsy. 
And he limps much as a lame duck. 

Molly 
Ugh! 



ACT I 31 

Dorothy 

And his eyes by spells do fail him. 

Buff 

And his temper knows no curbing, 

Dorothy 

And his heart is sorely troubled. — 

Buff 

By his angry passions rising. 

Molly 
Ugh! 
Him very heap much sick all over. 

{Grinding herbs in bowl, using a stone for a 
pestle. Col. Buff picks up two packages of herbs 
still unopened). 

Buff 

Two ingredients here you've slighted, 
And for fear our memory fails us, 
Or by ignorance slight some ailment, 
You had better use in mixing. 

Molly 
Ugh! 



32 DAUGHTERS OF FATE 

{Taking packages from him and holding up one). 

This make-um heap much sleepy old man. 

Buff 

All the better for the curing. 

Molly 

{Holding up the other package). 

Me keep this to kill-um old wolf ; 
Him be dead puty quick he take it. 

Buff 

Better still he'd be, and sooner 
Would his troubles find an ending. 

Molly 

Ugh! 

Him puty bad, this big chief Redcoat. 

{Buff laughs heartily and Molly continues to 
grind her herbs). 

Dorothy 

Have you no heart, no sympathy. 
For this old man, and none for me? 
Why stand you jesting like a knave 
While he is hovering o'er the grave? 



ACT I 33 

Bujf 

For you, sweet one, I have a heart, 
But sympathy I have no part, 
For this old cursing frowzy-head, 
And were he mine I'd wish him dead. 

Molly 
Ugh! 

Dorothy 

For me you have a heart of stone, 
To wish me in this world alone; 
And you could never hope to win 
My own, while you are courting sin. 

I bid you leave me sir. 

Buff 

Ha, ha, ha! 

Leave you lass? And you bid me? 

Ha, ha, ha! Now let me see: 

I, the colonel in command. 

Taking orders second-hand ? 

Nay lass ; let your lover know. 

He's the one to bid me go. 

Dorothy 

Were he here he'd 



34 DAUGHTERS OF FATE 

Buff 

Ha, ha, ha! 

And were he, lass, I'd wager gold, 

He'd take you in his arms, and hold 

You closely to his heart, 

As would I, were I his counterpart. 

{Dorothy shrinks front him). 

Molly 
Huh! 
Him heap bad, little squaw. 

Buff 

Ha, ha, ha! 

{To Molly). 

You lass, one hardly could ignore; 
You must have lovers JDy the score. 

Let's taste your kisses. 

{As he advances towards Molly she draws a dag- 
ger and threatens him). 

Ah, ha! You spiteful little miss! 
I'll take no chances for a kiss. 

Let us be friends. 

Molly 
{Replacing her dagger). 
Me fetch water. 



ACT I 35 

Buff 

Water say you? 

Oh, for mixing of the pill. 

You need it fresh then from the well. 

I'll fetch it for you. 

{As he starts for the wellj Dorothy knowing that 
he will discover her lover, is at her wit's end. She 
springs towards the house). 

Dorothy 

Hold, sir, I'll fetch a pitcher. 

Buff 

You'd better, lass; 

A bucket's rather cumbersome. 

(Dorothy goes in a?id returns at once. As she at- 
tempts to pass Buff, he reaches for the pitcher. She 
shies but he blocks her way). 

Dorothy 

Nay, let me ; the bucket leaks. 

I fear you'll wet and soil your clothes. 

Buff 

Will you your own not soil and wet? 



36 DAUGHTERS OF FATE 

Dorothy 

I care not for these worn-out things. 
Please sir, I the water'll get. 

Buff 

You can pour, lass; I will draw. 

Dorothy 

Nay; in drawing there's a trick. 

Buff 

Then you draw and I will pour, 

Dorothy 

Oh sir, you're a teasing bore. 

Buff 
And you, lass, a stubborn little witch. 

{He attempts to seize her, but she dodges and 
runs away, he chasing and cornering her. She 
throzus her arms about his waist and shakes the 
pitcher frantically at Molly behi?id his back). 

{Molly takes the pitcher and going to the well, 
discovers Worth. She takes some papers from the 
folds of her dress and dropping them into the bucket, 
lowers it singing all the while as she draws the 
water:) 



ACT I 37 

Tum-tum wah-wah la la boo, 
Heap much wam-pum, • 

Buy-um jug o'rum, 
Tum-tum wah-wah la la boo, 
■ Me little Medicine girl. 

{Meantime Buff is holding Dorothy in his em- 
brace, she receiving his passionate kisses tuith appar- 
ent helplessness. Molly resumes mixing her pill). 

Dorothy 

{Struggling free). 

Oh sir, you're a brute! 

You've arms as strong as a giant's. 

Buff 

And you, the sweetest kisses ever stolen. 

Dorothy 

And you did give me such a squeezing. 

Molly 
Huh! Him bear hugs. 

{Buff laughs). 

Dorothy 
Some day you'll have your pay for this. 



38 DAUGHTERS OF FATE 

Buff 

More kisses then will square the debt. 

Dorothy 

Nay, be gone, you've had enough. 

{She runs into the house. Buff roars with laugh- 
ter and stepping into the street sings back mocking- 
ly at Molly:) 

Tum-tum wah-wah la la boo, 
Heap much wam-pum, 
Buy-um jug o'rum, 
Tum-tum wah-wah la la boo, 
Me little Medicine girl. 

{He throws a kiss at Molly and exits laughing. 
Molly watches him away and hurriedly picking up 
her things runs into the house. Worth comes from 
the ivell and starts for the house just as Dorothy 
enters iviping her ?nouth ivith her apron). 

Worth 
{Taking Dorothy in his arms). 

That vile, insulting brute shall pay 
Well for his kissing some fine day; 
But would not one or two suffice. 
Without making such a sacrifice? 



ACT I 39 

Dorothy 

Nay. 

It took quite all he had to give, 
And some I gave, to let you live ; 
But see, no harm is really done ; 
I've washed them off, quite every one. 

{She ttirns her face up to his and he scrutinizes 
it carefully). 

Worth 
Quite right. 

Yours is the sweeter love for this; 
Ten lives you've saved with every kiss; 
Ten maidens' hearts you've robbed of fears, 
And tens of mothers of their tears; 
And ere another day is past. 
You'll have seen and heard the last 
Of every Redcoat in the town, 
And you, for all, shall have renown. 

Dorothy 

And what of you? 

Worth 
Of me think not. 

Dorothy 

Pray sir, are you bullet proof? 
Are you from danger held aloof ? 



40 DAUGHTERS OF FATE 

Worth 

Nay. 

But doubts and fears have never won 

The smallest battle, or outdone 

The faintest hearts. So bid you me, 

Go forth and fight, and fight for ye. 

And while you've hope and faith and love, 

And I the will of God above, 

I'll fight till Death shall set me free, 

Or bring you back a victory. 

{The roll of a drum is heard). 

Hark! What means this call? 

Dorothy 
I know not. 

Away, away, make haste away. 
The sound strikes terror to my heart. 

I fear for you. 

Worth 

{Taking Dorothy in his arms). 

ril risk a moment's more delay, 
Though every moment means a day 

Clipped from my life. 

Dorothy 

Nay, nay; make haste. 
Why stay you longer? 



ACT I 41 

Worth 

Just to press you to my heart ; 
To feel the tender passions rise 
Within my own; and ere we part, 
Just to look into your eyes, 
And see where love eternal lies. 

Dorothy 

For you I'd live to love forever; 
To live to love another, never; 
So go you forth and fight for me, 
And bring me back a victory. 

{He kisses her. Loud voices outside). 

Away, away, I fear for you. 

fVorth 

Farewell. 

{As he attempts to escape left, he is held up by 
two guards at the point of bayonets. At the gate, 
he is met by two more; and then by the house two 
more confront him). 

{Enter Col. Buff with sentry whom Worth did 
flog. They discover Worth ) . 

Buff 
It is, you see, as I expected. 



42 DAUGHTERS OF FATE 

Sentry 

You're right; the very one. 

Buff 

You do his features recognize? 

Sentry 

Aye, the very one. 

He shut my wind off with a hand, 

That gripped me like an iron band. 

Buff 

Seize him guards. 

{Worth is searched and the secret papers found 
upon him. As he is being taken away to prison, 
Molly enters and consoles Dorothy who is weeping 
bitterly ) . 



ACT II 

Scene: The prison yard mid exterior of block- 
house where Captain Worth is incarcerated. It is 
late in the afternoon, and the village dames have 
assembled about the Captain's barred window and 
are expressiiig their sympathy. A sentry is pacing 
to and fro, keeping close watch. Dame Cross hob- 
bles in, stopping before the window. 

Dame Cross 

Woe is yours, poor fellow. We 
Can offer you but sympathy. 
Sick our hearts, our weak hands tied ; 
By British rule we must abide; 
Nor can the picket lines be run. 
To summon aid by any one, 
So tightly is the cordon drawn. 
Woe is yours, and we forlorn. 

JVorth 

Fear I least this doom to death. 
Nor tyrant rule, nor bullet's breath ; 
Fear I most for you, poor dames — 
Your chastity, your holy names. 
Death to all were better, far. 
Than I alone should be the star 
Of martyrdom, or one of scorn. 
Nay, woe is yours and I forlorn. 

{The dames applaud). 
43 



44 DAUGHTERS OF FATE 

Phoebe 

He's a brave fellow. 

Penelope 

And we are weaklings. Come, 
Why stand we here so spiritless? 

Let's storm the prison. 

{The dames cheer). 

Sentry 
Silence, cats! 

Sophie 
Cats? 

Dame Cross 

Cats are we? Then ye are dogs! 
Rally dames! With tooth and claw, 
Let's show this mongrel whelp the law. 

(The dames surround the sentry). 

Sentry 
Ho! The guards! 

Daniiss 
Coward ! Coward ! 



ACT II 45 

{Enter guards who are met defiantly by the 
dames). 

Sentry 

Away; away to your homes. 

Dames 
Nay! We'll stand our ground. 

Guards. 
Away, away, we command you. 

Dames 

Nay, nay, we shall resist. 

A Guard 

As we'd treat then squirming eels, 
We needs must sack ye by the heels. 

Dame Cross 

Have ye care! 

Sophie 

Were we men we'd show you fighting; 
Broken heads you'd have from smiting. 



46 DAUGHTERS OF FATE 

A Guard 

But since you are none but misses, 
You may smite us with your kisses. 

Away, away! 

Dames 

Nay! Nay! 

A Guard 

Up men, show your teeth! 

Dame Cross 

Up dames, use your claws! 

( The guards seize the dames who struggle des- 
perately ; they are finally overpowered a?td drag- 
ged away. The sentry watches them until they are 
at a safe distance, the?! from behind a tree he brings 
forth a jug of ram and takes a long swig just as 
Molly enters and discovers him). 

Molly 

Huh! 

Redcoat heap much coward. 

Him no like-um petticoats. 

Sentry 

Bah! I'd sooner fight the Devil. 



ACT II 47 

Molly 
Him inside the rum jug. 

Sentry 

Who? 

Molly 
Dev-ul. 

Sentry 
Mora's the reason then for fighting. 
(Takes another long swig). 

Molly 

Him better take care. 
Puty quick him make-um tipsy, 
Then puty quick him sleep ; 
Bime-by come along big chief, 
And lock him up for keep. 

( The sentry roars with laughter and is about to 
take another drink when voices are heard outside. 
He replaces the jug and resumes pacing his beat). 

(Molly exits). 

(Enter Israel and Dorothy. Israel's head is 
swathed in a bandage). 



48 DAUGHTERS OF FATE 

Dorothy 

Go now Israel; seek the Colonel; 
Slight no place until you find him. 
Bid him come post-haste to me; 
Tell him I will grant concessions. 

Israel 

Ye mean ye'U sacrifice yourself? 

Dorothy 

Do not quiz me ; time is precious. 

Israel 

Where are your wits, Girl? 

Dorothy 

Leave that to me. Away! 

{Israel exits, disappearing up the road muttering 
to himself. Dorothy goes to the prison window 
and speaks softly). 

Captain. 

Worth 

{Appearing at the windoiv). 

Dorothy ! 

I had given up hope. 



ACT II 49 

Dorothy 

Every picket held us up. 
Have you been sleeping? 

Worth 

Sleep with Death awaiting me? 
Nay; I've been praying. 



Praying? 
Aye, for you. 



Dorothy 



Worth 



Dorothy 



I need no praying for; instead 

I should for you be praying 

But neither prayer have I, nor tears, 

Since something tells me from within, 

That you will live in spite of all 

The glowering gloom, that weighs as lead 

Within my heart. Have hope; have faith. 

Worth 

Both hope and faith have I, that you 
Will let me from this life depart, 
Ere you shall offer one concession. 
Speak child; you have some secret plan. 



50 DAUGHTERS OF FATE 

Dorothy 

You heard us talking? 

Worth 

I heard the voice of Israel — 

Some sacrifice. God ! child, let's have the truth. 

Dorothy 

Think you that I could let you die, 

If by some personal sacrifice. 

You might have life and freedom? 

Worth 

Sweet as life and freedom are, 

'Twould be a living death did you 

But sacrifice a single hair 

That I might live. Why summons you the Colonel ? 

Dorothy 

You heard this, too? 

Worth 

I heard all; what would you do? 

(Draivitiff dagger). 

Speak ! 



ACT II 51 

I read it from your mind ; but I 

Would rather let your lips confirm, 

Ere I plunge this dagger deep into my breast. 

Dorothy 

Hold, lest you be wrong! 
Surmises often go astray. 
How came you by the dagger? 

Worth 

The Indian girl's — thoughtful soul; 

She slipped it to me secretly, 

That I in some emergency, 

Might send it home ; the hour has come. 

Dorothy 

Hold! 

Would this be Love's most kindly act? 

Why should you sneak to death, and where, 

Think you, would be the gain? Have faith 

That I shall bring you through. What e'er 

Shall be my wont to do, have faith. 

Live on and on, or die for me, 

As I would live or die for you. 

Worth 

Desist ! 

Show not to me my selfishness, 
Lest I in shame must hide my face, 
As would some doubting fool. 



52 DAUGHTERS OF FATE 

{He throws the dagger to the ground. Dorothy 
picks it up and conceals it in her dress. A drum 
beating is heard). 

Hark! 

The firing squad is on the move! 

They with the sun are keeping pace! 

Dorothy 

Nay, nay, it shall not be. 

fVorth 

It is a fact; the end is near. 

( Tivo grave diggers pass down the road with 
spades over their shoulders) . 

Dorothy 

Oh God, I pray thee, stay the sun ! 

{Looking tip the road). 

Oh Israel, Israel, make haste ! 

Why don't they come? 

{J shot is heard in the distance). 

What's that? 

fVorth 

Some poor devil's beat me out. 



ACT II 53 

Dorothy 

Oh, God ! It may be he ! 

Worth 

That temper again. 

Dorothy 

I needs must go myself. 

{Starts to go as the drum beats come nearer). 

Worth 

Stay! 

Ere you can go and come I shall be through. 

Dorothy 

Nay, nay, it shall not be! 

{Drawing dagger). 

Ere he who would shall give the word 
I'll send this dagger home. 

{Falling on her knees). 

Heaven help me! 

{Enter firing squad). 



54 DAUGHTERS OF FATE 

{The prison door is thrown open and Worth 
is brought out by the officer of the guard). 

Officer 

By the law of His Majesty, the King, 
And the order of the colonel in command, 
I've come to perform a painful duty. 
This, sir, is the hour of your death. 

Dorothy 

Stay! A reprieve will be granted. 

Officer 

I've had no further orders: 

Dorothy 

The Colonel's on his way; 
Israel's gone to fetch him. 

Officer 

Israel, say you? 

He ne'er can fetch again. 

Dorothy 
What have you done? 

Officer 
Shot him as I would a dog with rabies. 



ACT II 55 

{Dorothy falls into Worth's arms weeping. The 
death knell begins to toll). 

Come lass, say farewell. 

Dorothy 
Please, sir, wait; the colonel's coming. 

Officer 

He ne'er will come; the hour is up; 

I must obey. 

Dorothy 

Please sir, I beg of you! 

{Running up to the officer). 

I'll go and fetch the colonel. 

Officer 

Nay, lass; stand aside! 

'Tis time this man were through. 

Dorothy 
You ne'er shall give the order! 

{Dorothy draws her dagger, and rushing up raises 
it over the officers heart. He seizes her by the wrist, 
wrests the weapon from her and flings her to the 



56 DAUGHTERS OF FATE 

ground. Worth attempts to take her part, but is 
prevented by the guards who throw a ring of bay 
onets about him) . 

Officer 
Forward ! 

{Worth is marched to the prison ivall. He turns 
facing the squad). 

Ready! Take aim! 

Buff 

(Outside). 

Hold! Hold! 

{Enter Molly and Col. Buff). 

{Molly is fairly dragging the English officer by 
the hand, he puffing and blowing from exhaustion. 
Molly throws herself in front of Worth). 

Hold, I say! 

( The gunners present arms. Buff discovers Dor- 
othy on the ground tveeping. He lifts her to her 
feet). 

You sent for me? 

Dorothy 
Yes. 



ACT II 57 

Buff 
What sweet story has my pretty lass to tell? 

Dorothy 

Sweet, say you? What a cruel word, 

Since they have murdered Israel ; 

And now you would the same with him — 

My lover. 
Oh, spare him for my sake! 

Buff 

To spare him would make you the debtor; 

What then, pray tell? 

Dorothy 

I'll give my life for his. 

Let me your deadly bullets feel ; 

Let him have life and freedom. 

Buff 

I'd be a cruel knave indeed. 

To slay a pretty lass like you ; 

And what an idiot since he, 

When loose, would take revenge on me. 

Nay, nay, 
I hardly could agree to that. 

Dorothy 

What then, pray tell, do you propose — 
What greater sacrifice to make? 



58 DAUGHTERS OF FATE 

Buff 

'Tis not for me to say, my lass. 
Since you have bid me come, it is 
For you to name the price; and if 
You fail, I see no way to stay the 

Execution. 

Worth 
Pray let me speak. 

Buff 

I'll grant this much. 

Worth 

O Dorothy, beware! The price he seeks 
Is dearer than your life and mine. 
Beware, lest you commit yourself. 

Let me pass on. 

Buff 
As you will. 

{Turning to the officer of the guard). 

Worth 
I'm ready; let your bullets come! 

Dorothy 
Nay, nay! O God have mercy! 



Ready! 



ACT II 59 

Officer 



{The guards raise their flintlocks, and Molly 
springs forward and covers Worth's body with her 
own) . 

Dorothy 

Oh, please, sir, give me time to think! 

Buff 

{Taking his kerchief from his pocket and holding 

it up ) . 

Until I drop this kerchief, lass. 

Dorothy 
Till morning breaks let him have life. 

Buff 

Eh! Till morning breaks? What then, pray 
tell? 

Dorothy 

I know not yet ; my brain is dull. 
Oh please, sir, let him live till then! 

Buff 

On one condition will I grant this stay — 
That you until the morning comes will be 

My prisoner. 



6o DAUGHTERS OF FATE 

Worth 



Nay ! Nay ! 
I do agree. 



Dorothy 



Worth 
Beware ! Beware ! Oh woe is mine ! 

Buff 
{Turning to guards). 
Back to his prison, men. 

Worth 

Would that my prison were the grave ! 
I fain would die a thousand deaths, 
Could I but stay this sacrifice. 
Farewell, My Love, farewell ! 
To all that was and all could be — 
To all the light within my soul, 
Farewell! Farewell forever! 

Dorothy 

Desist! Why this despair? 
What love is yours, that throws 
This doubt upon my faithfulness? 
Wait until the morrow comes! 
If then my tearful eyes 



ACT II 6i 

Shall waver in the light of yours; 
If then my stricken conscience sends 
Hot blushes to my pallid cheeks, 
Your doubting will be justified. 

Worth 

Nay, nay. 

Come not again to torture me. 

Farewell ! Farewell ! 

{Worth is returned to his prison as Dorothy falls 
weeping into Molly arms). 

Molly 

Ugh, big chief! 

Little squaw very much sick; 

She have heap much fever. 

Me take-um home ; me give-um pill ; 

Bime-by she heap much better. 

Buff 
Nay. 
She must abide with me this night. 

Molly 
Me bide too ; me go. 

Buff 
Nay, nay. 

Hie you to your own wigwam, 
And count the stars until you sleep, 



62 DAUGHTERS OF FATE 

Nor let imaginations rob 
Your dreams of peacefulness. 

Molly 

Ugh! Me no sleep. 

Eyes have I for waking only ; 

I have only time for praying. 

All the night long, 'till the sunrise, 

I shall haunt the evil spirit. 

Count I shall the stars of Heaven, 

Every one a prayer and pleading, 

To the Spirit — the Great Father; 

He will hear my lamentations. 

In the darkness, in the wildwood, 

In the fragrant west wind blowing, 

I shall seek Him, I shall find Him, 

I shall ask His love and mercy. 

To your wigw^am I shall send Him, 

Send the spirit — the Great Father; 

I shall send Him to protect her — 

Little white squaw, in your wigwam. 

Buff 

Praying's not a bad idea, 
E'en though it goes unheeded; 
'Twill keep you out of mischief, lass, 
A thing I fear is needed. 

{Buff laughs as he leads Dorothy away weeping). 

{Molly raises her hands in silent supplication to 
the Great Spirit. Revelers can be heard coming 
along the highway singifig). 



ACT II 63 

Eigh! Ho! Eyes to the moon, 
Lips to the gurgling jug; 
Wink ye revelers, drink ye devilers, 
Hail ye a damsel to hug. 

{The men can be heard laughing and the dames 
screaming. Molly seizes the jug of rum left by the 
sentry, and hurriedly emptying one of her sleeping 
powders into it, conceals it behind a tree, and exits. 
Enter dames vigorously protesting the insults of the 
redcoats who are following and jostling them). 

Dame Cross 
Cowards ! 

Penelope 
Desist, vile creatures! Give us peace! 

A Redcoat 

How think you we can resist 
Such tempting creatures, and why desist. 
Since you are wont to brave the night. 
Where you, forbidden, have no right 
To come, and where, on coming, fear 
Lest you shall fail to find us here? 

Dame Cross 



Falsehood ! 



Redcoat 



Truth ! 

You this minute are conniving, 

Lest we know of your contriving, 



64 DAUGHTERS OF FATE 

Sophie 

'Tis all imagination. 

We came, a suffering soul to please, 

A loving, aching heart to ease. 

Can you not sense the glowering gloom, 

Between the breaking heart and tomb? 

Redcoat 

Nay. 

Our hearts are steeled ; we sense but joy ; 

With women's hearts we fain would toy. 

So 'tis — 

Heigh! Ho! Eyes to the moon, 
Lips to the gurgling jug; 
Wink ye revelers, drink ye devilers, 
Hail ye a damsel to hug. 

(The red-coats seize the dames who struggle to 
get away. Enter Molly. She is carrying a jug and 
pretends to be drunk. The red-coats laugh and 
jostle her about, as the dames look on in amaze- 
ment). 



She's drunk! 



Shame ! 



Dames 



Dame Cross 



ACT II 65 

(The dames take up the cry of "Shame" and point 
their fingers at her in disgust). 

Molly 

{Paying no heed to her accusers sings and dances 
with great hilarity). 

Big brave kill-um big black bear, 
Little brave kill-um squir'l, 
Big squaw spank-um little papooses, 
Me little medicine girl. 

Tum-tum wah-wah la la boo. 
Heap much wampum, 
Buy-um jug o' rum. 
Tum-tum wah-wah la la boo. 
Me little medicine girl. 

{Molly gathers all the red-coats about her and 
passes the jug among them; and while thus em- 
ployed, the dames withdraw in quiet disgust. The 
Indian girl then resumes her dancing and singing 
which the men take up and continue until they fall 
helpless to the ground. She then forces the prison 
door open, releasing Worth. They both exit). 



ACT III 

Time: The same night. 

Scene : Col. Buff's room at headquarters. The 
Colonel and three of his staff officers are gathered 
about a table in the center of the roorn, smoking 
clay pipes, drinking wine, and throwing dice. 

Archibald 

{Taking his turn at the dice). 

How's that, my friend? I win! 

Buff 

Not so. 'Tis best thus far, 
But I have yet to try. I'll win. 

{Throwing the dice). 

Ah! I told you so. The stake is mine. 

Claude 
Gad, what luck! 

Cyril 

It runs to some, and I dare say 

Another try would end the same. 

66 



ACT III 67 

Archibald 

{Seizing the dice box). 

Let's see. 

Buff 

Nay. Fate has decreed. 
Three times I've lost and won. 

Let's drink to her. 

Archibald 
To Fate? 

Buff 

Nay, the sweetest lassie in the land. 
(They dritik and laugh). 

And now a song: 
{Archibald, Claude and Cyril sing). 

The stars above, sweet lady-love, 

Ne'er shown more brilliantly, 
Than do thine eyes against the skies, 

As they look down on me. 
Come to thy window lady-love. 

And let those eyes impart 
The story dear, I long to hear — 

The secret in thy heart. 



68 DAUGHTERS OF FATE 

{Buff opens the door right). 

Buff 

This way my pretty one. 

{Dorothy enters, pale and wan). 

Behold ye, ye unfortunate mortals — 
The object of your covetousness ! 

Archibald 

Gad! 'Tis Beauty herself! 

Claude 

Aye, an assemblage of graces! 

Cyril 

The personification of charm ! 

Archibald 

Aye, all this; but what of her virtues? 

Buff 

Her virtues, sir, we'll not discuss. 

Archibald 
But sir — 



ACT III 6g 

Buff 



Hold! 



{The three officers attempt to surround Dorothy), 
but Buff drazuitig his rapier drives them back to the 
door left). 

Keep your distance men! 
She is my prize, and woe to him 
Who would, by word of mouth or sign, 
Cast reflection on her name or mine. 

{The officers laugh and continue their song). 

Sweet lady-love, sweet lady-love, 

Awaken from thy dream ; 
Closer to me I would have thee. 

While Heaven's starlight gleams. 
Come to thy window, lady-love; 

With me, sweet vigil keep, 
And in thine eyes I'll seek my prize, 

A lover's harvest reap. 

Buff 

This is too much. Be gone! 

{He drives them from' the room. Outside they 
laugh and pound on the door). 

Fools! Be gone! 

{They continue to pound). 



70 DAUGHTERS OF FATE 

Quit pounding insults on my door! 

Be gone, I say, be gone! 

( The pounding stops and Bujf turns to find 
Dorothy weeping). 

Come lass, with such luck as yours, 
Smiles should substitute for tears. 

Dorothy 

Wherein has luck befriended me? 
And think you misery harbors smiles? 

Buff 

Misery you can well dismiss, 
Since you have added life to his — 

Your lover's. 

Dorothy 

When true love waits in aching hearts. 
Hours count for naught; even years 
Are but a thought, a frightful dream 
With death untimely at the end. 

Buff 

Since true love waits within your heart, 
Some sacrifice you'd make, no doubt. 
To see the man you love live out 
His natural life's e'en though you go 



ACT Hi 71 

To him devoid of what all men, 
Who truly love, do cherish most — 

A woman's virtue? 

Dorothy 

I've offered, sir, my life for his; 
Of my soul I did not speak. 
Oh where, think you, would be the goal, 
Were I to sell the priceless pearl. 
That gives my mortal being light? 
And what reward beyond the grave? 
Nay! Death would sweeter be by far 
To me — to him, than life with shame 
Imbedded in my heart; in his but grief. 

Buif 

The soul is but a passing whim, 
In my opinion, lass; the heart 
A fickle instrument 
To play upon as mood directs; 
And thine is not unlike the rest. 

Dorothy 
Say not these things! 

Buff 

Does truth of things offend you, lass? 

Dorothy 
You know little of my heart. 



in DAUGHTERS OF FATE 

Buif 

I know yours by mine. 
'Tis what the will directs that rules 
The heart ; and with two wills at odds, 
The stronger must prevail. 

Dorothy 

Leave me Sir; I must have sleep. 

{Laughter can be heard in the next room). 

Buff 

There's time for sleep 
When revelers shall end their feast 
I'm sleepy too — so sleepy, lass. 
What say you to some stimulant? 
{Turns wine into mugs). 

Dorothy 

Nay. 

Wine is like a treacherous friend ; 

It favors and betrays in one, 

The trust and faith one fain would lend, 

Leaving yet, a friend undone. 

Buff 

Ha, ha! 

Your philosophy is good lass; 

But in this case can least apply. 



ACT III 73 

Since treachery is wont to pass 
The motive for our friendship by. 

{Offering her the wine). 

Come, let's weld our friendship firmly, lass. 

Dorothy 
True friendship needs no welding, sir. 

Buff 
But I would have you more than friend! 
{Drinks his wine). 

Dorothy 

What mean you, pray? 

Buff 

I'd have you mine to have and hold — 
Heart to heart; and even more — 
Soul to soul and life to life . 

I love you, lass. 

{Attempts to seize her hand). 

Dorothy 
Stay! What love is this? 



74 DAUGHTERS OF FATE 

Buff 

The love that only passion knows; 
The love that masters evil minds: 
The love that cowardice bestows 
Upon the virtue it snares and binds. 

{Turns more wine and drinks). 

You came here, lass, to pay a debt, 
And by the gods! you shall make good, 
Or at that window you shall hear 
The shot that snuffs your lover's life. 

Dorothy 

A coward, sir, you are indeed ! 

For only cowardice ensnares 

Before it kills. I'm well entrapped, 

A helpless mortal with a brute. 

No weapon have I for defense, 

Save woman's courage and her right 

To kill, or die for honor's sake. 

Give me the equal of your steel, 

And with a woman's strength and skill, 

ril wage you to the bitter end. 

Buff 

{Roaring with laughter). 

A clever task 'twould be, no doubt. 
To parry woman's thrusts with steel; 



ACT III 75 

But with a Woman's tongue and wit, 
Though keener edged, I'd rather deal. 

{Laughs and drinks again). 

Dorothy 

You'll not grant me an equal chance? 

Buif 
Nay, nay, lass, nay, nay. 

{Drawing his rapier and staggering toward her). 

My steel is like a needle point. 

I fear lest I by chance might prick 

Those beautiful eyes, or find 

By accident, that heart of yours. 

Dorothy 

I'll take a chance ; give me your steel, 
And you go fetch another. 

Buff 

Nay, nay, my pretty one. 

You ne'er were made for fighting men; 

You best can win by loving them. 

{Advancing cautiously he seizes hold of Dorothy. 
She struggles and frees herself taking with her his 
rapier which he had returned to its sheath. She 
holds him at bay). 



76 DAUGHTERS OF FATE 

Dorothy 

Hold! 

My steel is like a needle point! 
I fear lest I by chance might prick 
Those wine-lit eyes ; or find 
By accident, that heart of yours. 

{Buff makes several attempts to recover the rapier 
•which Dorothy skillfully wields, but fearing its 
point, he gives up trying, and seizing a chair is about 
to break his way in, when the clattering hoofs of a 
running horse heard outside, followed by roars of 
laughter, exclaiming voices and a loud rap on the 
door. He sets the chair down and opens the door. 
Buff's three fellow officers enter, and seeing Dorothy 
standing defiantly with rapier in her hand, they roar 
with laughter). 

Buff 
Silence ! 
Why this rumpus? What's in the wind? 

Archibald 

A courier's come, sir. 

Buff 
Let him come in. 

{The courier enters and salutes). 

Make your story brief, lad. 



ACT III ' 77 

Courier 



A stir in the enemy camp, sir, 
Bodes well of a planned attack, sir. 

Buff 

By what unusual circumstance? 

Courier 

A spy within our lines has passed 
In safety to the enemy's, sir. 

Buff 

What was he like? 

Courier 

I cannot say, sir, other than 

He shoots at night with deadly aim. 

Buff 

Can no one his dimensions give — 
Tall and lean or short and fat? 

Courier 
He was not seen, just felt, that's all. 

Buff 
Just felt say you? 



78 DAUGHTERS OF FATE 

Courier 

His bullets, sir, I mean. 

He felled two pickets with one shot. 

Buff 
The devil he did ! 

{The roll of a drum is heard). 

Hark! The call to arms! 

Courier 

The pickets, sir, are coming in. 

Buff 

Swing to your horse lad! Give him spur 
Till every devilish man's astir. 

{The courier salutes and exits. Buff follows 
to the door and shouts to his officers who have left 
the room) . 

To your commands! 

{The officers can be heard clinking mugs and 
laughing) . 

Fools ! 

You've drunk enough ; make haste! 
Lest rout shall come on time you waste. 
To your commands, I say! 





ACT III 




Archibald 


{Shouting back). 




We go! 






Claude 


Farewell ! 






Cyril 



79 



And luck to you! 

Buff 
Bah! 

{Slamming the door). 

As for you, sweet one, I leave you 

To your heart's content. Nor do I fear 

That you'll escape ere I return, 

Since I your lover's life shall 

Claim as fair reprisal. 

Dorothy 

Farewell to you! And ere you go 

I give you back your rapier, 

Lest you by chance somewhere may meet your match. 

Buff 

Ha, ha! 



8o DAUGHTERS OF FATE 

( Taking the weapon and resting its point over 
Dorothy's heart). 

This trusty steel has ne'er yet failed. 
I'll measure skill with any man. 

{The roll of a drum and commanding voices are 
heard again) . 

Farewell ! 

(When Buff exits, Dorothy bolts the door, and 
snuffing all the candles but one, throivs herself on 
the bed and weeps. ) 

{Presently Molly's face appears at the window. 
She taps lightly on the pane. Dorothy raises her 
head and listens. Molly taps again. Dorothy 
springs up, and discovering Molly raises the sash. 
The Indian girl climbs in). 

Molly 

Hush! You me; me you! 

{Molly hurriedly removes her outer garments, 
indicating to Dorothy to do the same). 

You go; me stay! 

Dorothy 

Nay, nay. 

My escape will only mean his death. 



Huh! Him free! 



Escaped ? 



ACT HI 

Molly 
Dorothy 



Molly 
Hm-m, him 'scape. Little squaw she 'scape. 

(Molly fairly tears Dorothy's garments from her, 
and frantically assists her in donning her own). 

Huh! You me! They no can tell! 

By the river bank be waiting, 

Where the birch tree and the pine tree, 

Like two old friends lean together. 

O'er the waters in the moonlight. 

In the sweet-grass 'neath the up-roots. 

You will find my bark canoe hid ; 

Launch it ready for my coming; 

Let no grating sands betray you. 

Down the river we will journey. 

Like two sisters; like two daughters 

Of the red man or the white man. 

To the wigwam of my father. 

There my father will receive you, 

Like a daughter of his own race; 

In his wigwam by the river, 

He will greet you as my sister. 

He will tell you, there in comfort. 



82 DAUGHTERS OF FATE 

You shall wait for him — your lover. 
He is coming ere the sunrise, 
To the wigwam of my father. 

{Dorothy exits by the window. Molly completes 
her make-up, to represent Dorothy, before the mir- 
ror. She discovers the mug of untouched wine on 
the table, and reasons that it must have been turned 
out for Dorothy, while the empty mug was the 
colonel's. She turns the wine out, replacing the 
mug on the table. Takifig a package from the folds 
of her inner garments, she examines it). 

Huh! Make him heap much sleepy. 

(Replacing the package she draws out another). 

Huh! Him wolf! Me kill! 

(She shakes the poison powder into Buff's mug, 
and closing the window she throws herself on the 
bed with her face to the wall, and feigns sleep). 

(Enter Buff staggering drunk). 

Buff 

Sleeping are you, pretty thing? 
I'm lucky e'en to find you here. 
Though you lack sociability. 
Your lover, lass, has tricked me well; 
Or should I say that cunning squaw. 
Since she a dozen guards has drugged, 

And set him free? 



ACT III ' 83 

Ha, ha, ha. 

A clever trick; but woe to her! 

What say you, lass? Awake and take 

A sip of wine with me. 

{He fills the poison mug with wine, and placing 
it at the other end of the table, empties the crock jug 
into the other mug and drinks). 

Awake, awake! You seem like dead. 
'Tis true I tell you; he has flown — 
Your lover lass; but I have you. 

Ha, ha, ha! 

{He staggers toward the bed). 

A faithful lover, lass, have you. 

To save himself he's sacrificed 

The sweetest little dame in town. 

And won for him a coward's name. 

Come ope those pretty eyes for me. 

Nor let me see one tear-stained cheek. 

{He takes her hand in his, and discovering it is 
the Indian girl, he jerks her violently to her feet 
and hurls her across the room). 

Ho, ho, my fine lady! 

'Tis you, you little traitor! 

{Molly tries to escape by the door but finds it 
locked; she starts for the window, but Buff blocks 
her way). 



84 DAUGHTERS OF FATE 

Molly 

Me surrender; me your prisoner. 
Me be good prisoner. 

Bui 

Ha, ha, ha! 

Good or bad 'twill be the same. 
When Death awaiting you shall claim 
Reward for all your treachery. 

Molly 

Huh! Me no 'fraid. 

The Great Spirit will protect me, 

As he did the little white squaw; 

As he did the brave — her lover; 

Gave to them His love and mercy. 

All the night long till the sunrise. 

They will haunt the Evil Spirit. 

Count they will the stars of Heaven, 

Every one a prayer and pleading. 

To the Spirit — the Great Father ; 

He will hear their lamentations. 

In the darkness of the wildwood. 

In the fragrant west wind blowing, 

They will find Him, they will send Him 

To your wigwam to protect me. 

Buff 

I fear you will not fare as well, 

As did your friends; nor will their prayers 



ACT III 85 

Be answered as were yours, for Death 
Already lurks within these walls. 

Molly 

Huh! Me no 'f raid. 
Since I was a little papoose, 
Heard I have my father teaching, 
Death is but a change in living. 
Like a journey to some strange land; 
Like the passing from a shadow, 
As we would into the sunshine. 
Heard I have him tell his people. 
That we go there as we came here. 
Come and go as do the flowers ; 
Come we back here in the spirit. 
As the fragrance from the sweet-grass, 
As the rain comes frorn the heavens. 
Purified by the Great Spirit. 

Huh! Me no 'fraid. 

Bujf 

A pretty theory I admit, 
And since you're not afraid to die, 
I'll make arrangements just to give 
Your hypothetic view a try. 

(Shots are herd in the distance followed by com- 
manding z'oices outside). 

Ho, ho! 

The enemy's come to life, 



86 DAUGHTERS OF FATE 

And I must haste to join the fray. 

{Draws his rapier). 

Molly 
Ugh! 
You go; me stay. Me be good prisoner. 

Buff 
Nay! 

Fd sooner trust a hungry wolf 
With my dead carcass, than trust you 
Out of my sight; and ere I go 
To battle men, FU make you safe. 

Fll take my pay for j^our deceit; 
I'll have your blood upon my steel; 
Fll send your soul down to its hell 

Ere I depart! 

{Outside the sound of battle increases. Buff in 
his growing rage seizes his wine crock and finding 
it empty, flitigs it violently to the floor. With his 
rapier he sweeps his empty mug from the table, and 
seizing up the poison mug raises it to his lips. A 
violent knock comes at the door. He sets the mug 
down and listens. Another loud knock is heard). 

Who goes there? 

Worth 

It is I! 

Open ere I burst the lock! 



ACT III 87 

Buff 

I know that voice; it spells defeat! 

{Turning to Molly). 

And you it is who turned the tide! 

Go to your doom ! 

{Molly turns to flee, but Buff's steel pierces her 
back and she sinks to the floor. The door bursts 
open and Worth enters followed by two guards). 

Worth 
At last we meet on even terms! 

{Discovering Molly, whom he thinks is Dorothy, 
on the floor) . 

My God! 

What's this! You've slain my love! 

Buff 

Since you have failed to keep your trust, 
Her blood is on your hands, not mine. 

Worth 

Then by the gods, you shall go too! 

Stand back men! 



88 DAUGHTERS OF FATE 

{The two officer's engage in a fierce combat. Soon 
Worth twists Buff's steel from his hand. Twice 
more he repeats the trick and twice more gives him 
chance) . 

Seize him men! 

He's lost his nerve. I cannot have 
A weakling's blood upon my hands. 
Let him go the usual way. 

(The guards seize Buff and drag him from the 
room. Worth kneels beside Molly's body. He 
touches her garments and tenderly caresses her head. 
Suddenly he catches up a lock of her hair. He 
springs to his feet and lights all the candles. Then 
on his knees he lifts the Indian girl up tenderly and 
turns her face up to his). 

Molly! ' 

{The door opens and Dorothy enters just as he 
lays the Indian girl down. She is pale and weak 
and is about to fall when Worth looks up. He 
springs to his feet and she staggers into his arms). 

Dorothy ! 

( Unable to speak in her weakened condition 
Worth seizes the poison mug and forces her to drink 
from it. She looks up at him and smiles. He picks 
her up and places her on the bed, and returning for 
the mug of wine, holds it up). 



ACT III 89 

Dorothy, see! Open your eyes. 

I drink to you and love's reward. 

{He empties the mug and falls dead beside her). 

{A single volley of shots is heard in the distance, 
and then a sentry's cry) : 

All is well! 

Curtain 



IH:. 89 1 ■ 



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